The Tale of the Huntress

10. A Threat to Peace

"Queen?" Nova squeaked out. The highest official she had ever been in the presence of was the horrid lord Haipus many years ago in her childhood. The Queen lifted her lip up in quiet amusement and then pushed her spectacles up on the bridge of her nose.

"Very well, your house should be done within the week. In the meantime I welcome you and your child into my home," she said with finality before snapping the book closed. Nova's jaw was still hanging wide as her brain attempted to process the whole arrangement. Her family would not only be provided a temporary stay in the Queen's abode but she was also going to be giving a newly built home. Lilium interrupted her thoughts when she raised a tiny hand up and pulled the dark strand of hair that fell out of place. Nova kissed her forehead and stood with the Queen as she told her to follow.

"You and your little one- ah we never appropriately introduced ourselves. Queen Mathilda but I simply love the title of Lady," she said with a wave of her arm much different than Nova's greeting. She assumed it was the way of Pastiels and returned with her own gesture.

"Nova and my girl is Lilium," she replied.

"Oh lilies are my favorite flowers," she spoke with a twinkle in her auburn eyes. Bertram met them at the end of a long hall and smiled politely while opening a door for them. "You will stay here. Bertram, would you mind bringing in her belongings?"

"Of course Lady Mathilda," he bowed and left. When they heard a scream though, Nova ran out remembering that Armageddon was left in charge of protecting the carriage. He was growling with the hair raised all along his spine and his front two legs crouched down. Bertram was on the ground panting in fright of the nightmarish creature that stood watch over the wagon.

"Armageddon, he is a friend," Nova called and Mathilda watched in amusement. The Axius sat back on his haunches and the threatening aura he was giving off vanished. Bertram passed his gaze between everyone before rising and dusting himself off. Armageddon jumped down from his perch and approached Mathilda incredulously. He was also unfamiliar with the Pastiel race and took great interest in the horns that grew from her scalp.

"Yes yes we match little one," Mathilda said before extending her arms to him. Usually he was quite reserved around new people but he nuzzled into her chest, quick to give her his trust. The huntress was a bit surprised at this before remembering each race's specialty. Elves were close to nature as Pastiel were to animals. Humans had the greatest longevity of all of the races while trolls had the shortest but were immune to disease and poisons. The last remaining races were those of the Dracon, Siren, and Fae but because of their seclusion from all others, not much was known to Nova.

"Bertram, their belongings yes?" She called to him. He nodded a bit hesitant when Armageddon glanced back at him and proceeded to watch the Axius while unloading the wagon. There were no further issues between the two as Nova's luggage was unpacked and the carriage was left in a secure lot behind Mathilda's estate. He joined them inside when Nova went to change out of her garments into something more suitable to the warmer weather in Vish'mi. She was about to settle on a pair of shorts and a flowing white shirt when Lady Mathilda barged into her room.

"Oh dear I didn't know you were changing," she said and covered her eyes. It was too late to unsee Nova's Ivud leg though. Her face was beginning to pale although her eyes were covered and her back faced the huntress. Nova took notice and finished clothing herself before approaching the Pastiel.

"Lady Mathilda?" She said while putting a hand out to her shoulder. The woman flinched at her touch in surprise and spun around. Her doe eyes were wide with questions spinning around her mind and Nova was ready to answer anything the kind lady wanted to ask. They stared at each other for a few seconds before its was the emerald eyed woman's turn to clear her throat politely.